Low flow foggers for cooling and humidifying

With the use of foggers you get an extremely efficient method of controlling greenhouse conditions, such as increasing humidity or cooling. The very small droplets provided by foggers from The Drip Store are perfect for creating the ideal microclimate condition inside the greenhouse. Most fogging systems require high pressures, often up to 1,000 PSI, and are very expansive to install. Foggers from The Drip Store are affordable and designed to function at operating pressures of 50 to 70 PSI. Our foggers use 120 to 200 mesh filter. This system will suffer less wear and tear at the lower PSI requirements and will have fewer nozzles to replace.

Recommendations:

One fogger should be used for every 10 to 15 square feet.

oFour foggers would cover an area of 40 to 60 square feet.

Four foggers would cover an area of 40 to 60 square feet.

Locate the foggers at the highest point in the structure.

Make sure that the spray does not come in contact with any part of the greenhouse structure as this can cause droplets to form that fall onto the plants

In this category we have selected two different foggers with two flow rates and three configurations.

How to Select and Size Your Fogger in 5 Easy Steps Step 1: Visualize the area and see your bench layout. You may need single or multiple lines with low flow for narrow benches, or multiple lines with high flow rates for good overlap in wider benches. When using an inverted installation make sure there are no obstacles, such as hanging baskets, beams, curtains and anything else that can prevent good coverage. Last, determine the height at which you plan to have the sprinkler installed above the benches.

Step 2: Select the fogger from the product list based on your application requirements and design features, such as desired flow rate, fogger spacing and bench spacing.

For information on how to select and size the polytube laterals, filters and item items needed for the initial setup of the system, troubleshooting and maintenance see steps 3 thru 8 below

Step 3: Sizing the sprinkler lateral lines for your bench length based on the maximum number of heads allowed on each lateral
We strongly recommend polyethylene pipe (polytube) for use in the laterals in your layout. Light can penetrate PVC pipe, which can cause algae to grow, leading to many problems, including plugged emitters.

Information you will need to finalize your installation:
Bench length and number of sprinklers, sprayers or foggers allowed on the polytube (see chart for max recommended # of heads allowed on laterals)

Maximum Recommended number of Inverted Foggers on Polytube

Benchlength in feet

25'

50'

75'

100'

125'

Fogger flow rates in GPH

1

2

8

15

1

2

8

15

1

2

8

15

1

2

8

15

1

2

8

15

Maximum# of foggers on 1/2" lin

10

8

5

5

20

16

11

10

30

20

15

Maximum# of foggers on 3/4" lin

12

10

9

7

22

18

13

12

32

25

18

20

50

35

24

18

55

46

25

23

Maximum# of foggers on 1" lin

54

40

22

20

62

41

31

25

Step 4: Sizing the distribution main line
Use the chart below to select the size for your distribution line up to 100 feet, and for your main line up to 125 feet in length. This chart should serve as a general guideline only.

Distributor Pipe Sizing

Pipe Size

Maximum GPM

3/4"

10

1"

15

1 1/2"

25

Main Line Pipe Sizing

Pipe Size

Maximum GPM

3/4"

8

1"

12

1 1/2"

30

2"

45

Step 5: Sizing the main control components, such as valves and filters
The components should be sized according to the flow range of the filter. Make sure not to exceed this recommendation.

Sizing the Filter with 120 Mesh

Sizing the Filter with 150 Mesh

Plastic Screen Filter

Maximum GPM

Plastic Disc Filter

Maximum GPM

Plastic Screen Filter

Maximum GPM

Plastic Disc Filter

Maximum GPM

3/4"

10

3/4"

N/A

3/4"

9

3/4"

N/A

1"

12

1"

17

1"

13

1"

15

1 1/2"

40

1 1/2"

60

1 1/2"

35

1 1/2"

50

2"

60

2"

80

2"

55

2"

70

Step 6: Starting the system for the first time and flushing the system
The most important thing for you to remember when starting a new system for the first time is to flush the lines. Debris from the installation can pass into the sprinklers and foggers and can cause the system to plug, or to operate improperly. To properly flush the system, first connect the valves, filters, and main and distribution pipes. Then flush the line. Second, connect the lateral pipes and then flush the whole system again. Third, attach the sprinklers or foggers, open the ends of the laterals and have a final flushing of the whole system. Close the ends of the laterals one by one before the water is turned off. After complete flushing, check that the system is operating correctly and adjust if needed.

Inspect microsprinklers, foggers, and drippers periodically to insure that none are clogged. It is also important to check the microtubes to see if they are clogged. It is also important to check the microtubes to see if they are out of place.

Filter screens should be flushed and cleaned at least once a month depending on water quality. Check the filter one week after installation. It should give you an idea of how often to schedule cleaning.

Tubing lines should also be flushed periodically; again, water quality will determine the frequency of flushing.